Publisher's Description
In this volume, ten Magnum photographers
turn their lenses on contemporary Georgia.
Situated on the cusp of Russia and Asia, but
with a European culture dating back to the 7th
century BC, Georgia was forcibly incorporated
into the Soviet Union in 1922. Its independence
was restored in 1991, but it then suffered from
civil war and a breakdown of its economic infrastructure.
In the last decade, however, despite
ongoing tensions in its relations with Russia,
Georgia has mounted a spirited comeback.
Magnum photographers Antoine d’Agata, Jonas
Bendiksen, Thomas Dworzak,Martine Franck,
Alex Majoli, Gueorgui Pinkhassov,Martin Parr,
Paolo Pellegrin,Mark Power and Alec Soth visited
the country during spring 2009, each pursuing
their own theme (Alec Soth goes in search of
the ‘most beautiful woman in Georgia’, for
example). All found themselves enchanted by
the Georgian people, something strongly conveyed
in their photographs as well as in personal
text journals which accompany the images.
This well-designed volume also includes a foldout
map,marked with each photographer’s journey;
a chapter showing the best of Magnum
photographers’work over 60 years (including by
Magnum’s founders Robert Capa from his visit
to Georgia with John Steinbeck in 1948 and
Henri Cartier-Bresson); and an illuminating
introduction by the Paris-based NewYorker
writer, and Georgia expert,Wendell Steavenson.
Read Charles Dee Mitchell's review of
Georgian Spring in photo-eye Magazine.
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